Sukarno's book republished

Sukarno's book republished

YOGYAKARTA: Gadjah Mada University has republished Di Bawah
Bendera Revolusi (Under the Banner of Revolution) authored by
first president Sukarno in Yogyakarta on Monday.

Guruh Soekarnoputra, Sukarno's son, said the book had become a
taboo to read in the last 40 years.

"It's true there's no official prohibition to read or own the
book, but in all libraries and government institutions, the book
has vanished," said Guruh in his speech during the book launching
and discussion at the university's campus.

Written by Sukarno when he was in exile at the age of 20, the
book is a collection of some of his ideas and speeches,
particularly on politics and freedom.

He said the Bung Karno Foundation republished the book in the
hope that the younger generation could learn something. It would
be a pity, he added, if the first president's thoughts and views
simply vanished.

Some of the thoughts, he added, looked far into the future,
such as his opinion on Islam. "Even at that time, Sukarno
discussed Ahmadiyah, which is currently in the spotlight," Guntur
said. -- JP

The Ahmadiyah organization has recently come under fire after
the Indonesian Ulema Council issued a fatwa against their
teachings. -- JP